I knew the North Carolina Zoo would be large, but I had no idea how HUGE it would be!
The North Carolina Zoo is the world’s largest walk-through zoo and the largest natural habitat zoo in the United States, boasting 2,000+ acres!
I’m sharing more about how to make the most of your visit to the North Carolina Zoo.
Thanks again to Heart of NC for hosting our visit. This article contains affiliate links.
I typically take pride in how much ground I can cover during a visit to a destination.
My boys and I have even conquered 7 theme parks in 2.5 days in Orlando…but I’ll tell you this: to truly experience all that The North Carolina Zoo has to offer, you need more than one day!
We visited the North Carolina Zoo two days in a row. Each visit was about 4-5 hours, and we still didn’t see everything!
That says a lot about how large the home for over 1600 animals at the zoo really is!
Plan Ahead For Your Visit to the North Carolina Zoo
A big part of making the most of your visit to the North Carolina Zoo is planning ahead.
Check the schedule for the day of your visit and determine if there are additional activities you would like to experience.
Where is the North Carolina Zoo?
4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC
The North Carolina Zoo is located centrally in Asheboro, North Carolina.
General Tips for Visiting North Carolina Zoo
- You can bring factory-sealed non-alcoholic beverages into the zoo, but you cannot bring coolers or have a picnic inside. There are public picnic areas near both of the entrances.
- Check the daily schedule for animal feeding times
- Wear comfortable shoes because you will be walking A LOT!
- Establish a plan before you go if someone gets lost. Lost and found stations are at Guest Services in the North America and the Africa sections of the zoo.
- The animals are most active in the morning. Get there early if possible.
- Look at the map online before arrival and determine what animals and activities you want to prioritize. Check the daily schedule for times of animal feedings and special events.
- Enjoy art? There is a self-guided tour of the art located throughout the zoo. Get the map here.
When is The North Carolina Zoo Open?
The North Carolina Zoo is open year-round except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
- April-October – 9 AM – 5 PM –The last entry is at 4 PM
- November-March – 9 AM- 4 PM –The last entry is at 3 PM
How to Save on Your Tickets for the North Carolina Zoo
Discounted admission rates for the North Carolina Zoo are for the following:
- Children
- Seniors
- Military Members
- NC EBT card holder (with matching photo ID)
Already have a zoo membership at another zoo?
Find out the North Carolina Zoo partners and which zoos have reciprocity here.
For example, the Cincinnati Zoo has 50% off admission to the North Carolina Zoo for Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens members.
Pick Your Parking Lot at the North Carolina Zoo
The zoo is so large that there are two separate parking options.
You can park for FREE at the entrance for North America or Africa.
Each entrance has its own ticket booth, and rental strollers and wheelchairs are available at both entrances on a first-come, first-served basis.
It’s recommended that you arrive early if you need to rent a stroller or wheelchair.
Take Advantage of the FREE Transportation
You’ll have no problem getting your steps in during a visit. It’s also a good idea to conserve some energy by taking the free buses or trams to save a few steps and visit the other side of the zoo.
*FYI: Lines and wait times for the trams and buses become longer in the afternoon.
Learn Through Play at the North Carolina Zoo
Kids will have opportunities to burn off extra energy and learn through hands-on play at the Kids Zone and Garden Friends Playground. It’s located next to the North America section of the zoo.
You will want to allow extra time in your schedule for kids to explore and enjoy this area.
Are You Allowed to Bring Food and Drinks to the North Carolina Zoo?
You can bring the following inside the North Carolina Zoo:
- Sealed bottled non-alcoholic beverages (one per guest)
- Small snacks for children
- Baby food/formula
- A personal refillable water bottle (Water fountains are throughout the park)
- Empty pre-purchased North Carolina Zoo souvenir cups
- Food for medical or special dietary purposes
Dining Options at North Carolina Zoo
If you don’t feel like packing a lunch and returning to your vehicle, you have plenty of dining options at the North Carolina Zoo.
There are picnic areas OUTSIDE the zoo available for guests. Make sure that you get your hand stamped before leaving the zoo for the parking lot.
There are several restaurants and seasonal snack bars located throughout the zoo.
Billy D’s Fried Chicken
Who doesn’t love fried chicken? What makes Billy D’s Fried Chicken even better is that it’s locally sourced.
I highly recommend the chicken sandwich and trying several sauces for your waffle fries. Billy D’s is located in Africa’s Akiba Market in the Africa section.
Enhance Your Visit to the North Carolina Zoo With These Extra Add-Ons!
The following activities have an additional fee but add so much to your experience!
Air Hike Ropes Course at the North Carolina Zoo
(Open seasonally April 1st – October 31st – weather permitting)
Would you dare walk this way?
Adventure awaits on 11 platforms connecting to 23 obstacles in the air at Air Hike.
My boys and I had a great time challenging ourselves on this elevated course, which takes 30-60 minutes.
A Few Tips for the Air Hike Ropes Course:
- Make sure that you have closed-toed shoes and comfortable clothing. Wear athletic clothing and longer shorts or leggings because the safety harnesses make shorter shorts ride up. (No dresses or skirts allowed)
- There is a designated area for observers that does offer shade.
- The maximum weight is 250 lbs. You have to be 60″ tall to go by yourself or 48″ and accompanied by someone on the course who is 60″ tall to participate.
Take a Zoofari Tour at The North Carolina Zoo
Zoofari guests ride in an open-air vehicle during the guided 45-minute to 1-hour Zoofari tour led by a zoo educator.
The Zoofari tour is also a great way to learn more about animal conservation efforts worldwide. You can also ask questions about the 9 exhibited species, with opportunities to observe several species up close.
During our tour, Pearl the Ostrich (pictured above) decided to come up and greet our vehicle, creating a great photo opp. The Zoofari Tour is a wonderful experience for adults and kids alike!
A few of the Zoofari tour animal highlights were the ostriches, antelope, rhinos, gazelles, and greater kudus.
- Tickets for public tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis
- You can purchase tickets at Junction Plaza starting at 9 am
- Seating on the Zoofari is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Zoofari tours run 3 times daily, Thursday-Sunday, April-October
- The tours are weather permitting
- Kids under 2 are free on an adult guardian’s lap
You can find the FULL List of zoo tours at North Carolina Zoo here.
Outdoor Activities at North Carolina Zoo for an additional fee
Available daily from April-October and weekends in November.
- Acacia Station Giraffe Deck
- Kaleidoscope Butterfly Garden
- Treehouse Trek
- Carousel
*Activities are weather-dependent
Dining in Downtown Asheboro, North Carolina
North Carolina Zoo hours are 9-5 pm April-October and 9-4 pm November-March.
Time Square Pizza
242 S Fayetteville St, Asheboro, NC
If you’re looking for something to do in the evening, you can’t go wrong with pizza and beer, right?
Time Square Pizza has New York-style pizza by the slice or the whole pie. If you don’t want to commit to just one type of pizza, order half of one pizza and half of another style.
I prefer the made-to-order pizza vs. pizza by the slice for the freshest pizza.
If you are in the mood for a beer, you will find plenty of craft beer options at Four Saints Brewing Company located a short walk a few doors down the street.
Where to Stay Near the North Carolina Zoo
920 Executive Way, Asheboro, NC
We stayed at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Asheboro less than 15 minutes from the North Carolina Zoo.
Compare Rates on Hotels and Airbnbs Near the North Carolina Zoo
More Information on the North Carolina Zoo
You can find out more from the North Carolina Zoo website.
